Atlas-Animalia-pdf

Desert Sphinx These sphinx know riddles of the stars, the
cosmos, the ancient ways, and of the gods
Bearing the body of a lion, the head of a themselves. Their questions are about lore so
human, and the wings of a great roc, the long past that none have entered the temples
desert sphinx is by far the most common in an eternity. Their magic is of life and death,
and well known. Within the deserts, ancient revolving around the cycles of memory and
civilizations have risen and fallen, and the forgetting within the desert. Each riddle they
sphinx remembers them all. She wanders her have bears its answers from within a culture
temples, still wearing the garb and jewellery long since destroyed.
of a time long since past. In the sphinx is the
cultural memory of a people now gone. Because of their ancient and immortal
nature, these sphinx are rarely ever killed
Deep within the deserts are temples or defeated because of their death magics
and sacred sites to ancient gods no longer and because their riddles have unknowable
remembered or named. The sphinx can answers. They are extremely proud, and they
speak their language and read the names are quite dismissive of ignorant travelers. Few
on the wall, although few dare stop to ask ever seek these sphinx out, although many
of her knowledge. The males wander vast have happened upon them in the desert,
deserts, taking shelter in rocky homes they’ve surprised to see them at those long-forgotten,
discovered from migrant people. They spend aged relics.
their days with a mate, learning what she
knows and keeping the knowledge of their
ancient homes alive.

Rumors & Legends

• An aged god, still alive and craving new
worshippers, has been summoning the last
remaining desert sphinx to it. The god is trying
to enslave them, sending them back out into the
world to bring more followers to its tomb in the
hopes that one will release it.

• A young sphinx offers to let the explorers enter
their temple in exchange for finding a mate for
her, or at least a companion. Being bound to a
temple so far removed from anything has left
them incredibly lonely.

• One sphinx offers the answer to her riddle to
any who pass her home in hopes that one will
want to enter. She believes she will be free to
live as she wants, not realizing that she will only
become bound to another vestige of the past.

150.

Quoll Sphinx Still loyal to the old ways, their riddles are
old and focused on the land and its history.
Teetering on the brink of extinction, the rare Those they guard the water for, however, are
quoll sphinx is one of the most elusive of its being forced out by settlement-driven cultures
kind. Rare and dying rapidly in the wild, the and has overtaken their territory. Because of
quoll sphinx has a spotted body; long, thick this, the sphinxes are dwindling in numbers,
tail; and unlike other sphinxes, has hands. They methodically and quickly, with only a few
also have large, white, feathered wings. Their remaining.
versatile hands allow them to use weapons,
start fires, and live more akin to the local Rumors & Legends
humanoids than the desert sphinx.
• A sphinx has been captured by a beast collector
Unlike its desert cousin, the quoll sphinx who is offering to sell the creature and its
is not seen as a blessing when appearing in ancient secrets to anyone with enough coin, but
a ruin or city. Rather, it is seen as a curse, a has beaten the creature into submission and its
source of evil. This is mostly because the quoll spirit is broken.
sphinx makes it’s home at watering holes
found sparsely throughout the desert. Though • When a war threatens the region, blood and
remaining populations of quoll sphinxes are poison begin to taint the watering holes. A
being slowly and painfully being erased by small hunting group of quoll sphinx go after
other local humanoids. the nobles conducting the war in an attempt
to protect the land and free it from the taint of
These watering holes have always been these destructive humanoids.
the most important place to the indigenous
peoples. Their belief that the water is the
most sacred place and the land is made up of
the gods themselves. Once, the quoll sphinx
were protectors of the waters. Though with
the change in settlements and expansion of
civilization, there is less regard to the old
gods and prospective individuals have
begun to demonize and hunt quoll
sphinxes.

151.

River Sphinx and are bound to protect it. This has caused
no small number of them to be killed by local
Within jungles, living in its waters and fisherman, and as a result, their population is
rivers, is the river sphinx. These sphinx are so on the decline.
different from their land-loving cousins that
many have challenged the belief that they Once, they were playful and curious members
are to be counted as sphinx. Their bodies are of the river wildlife. Now, they seem almost
that of an otter; large, velvety, and beautiful. afraid of the fisherman who hunt their waters.
They have webbed paws and a general sense of More and more of their families have been
playfulness and gentleness. While they do have hunted and killed by local humanoids. While
wings like other sphinx, theirs are far too small they have limited control of most magic, they
to be used for flight and instead are used only do have astounding magical abilities with
for show. water. Still, this magic is neither enough to
stop the hunters from poaching them for
Unlike other sphinx, the river sphinx live their soft pelts, nor to stop the fishermen that
in communities of up to twenty adults and compete for food.
multiple young. They have a central territory
they hunt and explore within. While they eat Rumors & Legends
some mammals, mostly the river sphinx hunt
fish and other aquatic life. They hunt in packs • Several large fishing communities have started
and spend a great deal of time playing in the coming together to hunt the remaining river
water together. There is a dominant pair that sphinx in their area, as they grow weary of their
guides the group, but most decisions are made nets being destroyed and their fish being set free
communally. by the playful sphinx.

They are just as protective as their land- • A malevolent and angry river god has enlisted
bound cousins, spending vast amounts of the help of the river sphinx to remove the
time antagonizing the local humanoids by humanoids from his water and to destroy
destroying fishing nets, removing fish from the homes that have been created by their
traps, and stealing catches. When pressed, communities; enslaved, the sphinx have no
they say this is because they choice but to obey.
are spirits of the water

152.

Arctic Sphinx Rumors & Legends

The arctic sphinx dwells within • A group of adventurers discovered an aged
the coldest lands far to the north. sphinx held captive deep within the dungeon
Their bodies are perfectly designed of a dark kingdom. The beast is chained with
for living within the cold. A thick, magical bindings only a well-guarded key can
heavy fur covers them, with large unlock.
padded paws for walking on the
snow. They move soundlessly, • Forseeing the destruction of the local
disappearing into the trees and snow humanoids by a dominant and powerful
around them. This is how they hunt, civilization, the arctic sphinx have begun helping
and how they remain an unseen the locals to prepare for war and invasion by
guardian of their wintry world. advising them and recruiting heroes to join the
cause.
They say the arctic sphinx has eyes
that can see the truth beyond. They • A young sphinx has disappeared after giving up
are keepers of the unseen world her power to see the future of the world around
and guardians of secrets. While her. Several communities have set out to find her
they ask riddles, it is not to keep a and bring her home, but she continues to elude
sacred place protected, but rather, them.
to withhold knowledge until the
traveler proves themselves worthy. 153.
The keen eyes of the arctic sphinx
can see the truth in any question or
situation, and thus, they are sought out by
anyone who needs to find an answer that no
one else can provide.

Once found amongst the many snowy
regions of the world, the influx of humanoids
into their territories has greatly damaged
their population. As a solution to the hunting
that was happening, several regents had the
animals captured and moved far to the north,
where the land was inhospitable but safer from
humanoids. The sphinx haven’t flourished, but
their population maintains.

These solitary sphinx are beautiful and wise.
They lack the ancient civilizations of their
cousins or the playfulness of the river sphinx,
but they have wisdom and grace like no other.
Several kingdoms have taken to capturing
them to use as advisors during fraught times.
These sphinx have said to grow depressed and
eventually, bring a kingdom to ruin so they
may be freed from their bonds.

As told by Sylvia Te’len’thriel half-elf beastmaster.

Treants came into existence through faerie Behavior

magic. Forest-dwelling fae needed trusted It is difficult to describe treant behavior,
guardians to protect their forest homes, and because they are not animals, but plants. An
each year they sang to the trees begging them animal myself, my view is colored by the other
to wake up. Slowly but surely the trees awoke, creatures I have observed over the years and
and so the first treants were born. The fae therefore I must apologize for any undue
asked nothing from the treants but to protect animalistic characteristics I attribute to this
the land, which pleased the treants greatly, and great species. To understand treant behavior one
so it was for many years. must understand their motivation: protection.

Part of the natural cycle of the world, the It is said from the moment the first treant
treants knew they were part of all things. Being woke, their sole goal in life was to protect the
part of all things carries with it a desire to forests and groves they inhabit. Morality for this
know all things. The treants created saplings species is a moot point, because the concepts of
so part of them could experience as much of good and evil do not play into their central goal.
the world as possible. Their saplings founded In a treant’s eyes, a villager who cuts down a tree
new groves, protecting the life that grew within in their land is more guilty than a knight who
their lands; so treants spread through the slays a peasant; so dealing with these strange
realms and many different types sprouted into beings can sometimes bewilder humanoids who
existence. can’t grasp how a treant thinks.

Biology This is not to say that treants do not have a
capacity for kindness, a distinct personality, or
Treants’ internal systems act much like that even the ability to feel their own type of love.
of normal trees and most of their bodies’ However, it is too simplistic to water down their
movements, their speech, etc. is a blessing behavior to our way of interacting with the
of faerie magic. As beastmasters, we refer to world. These plants view themselves as part of
treants as creatures, but is a misnomer, as they the world, and the world as part of them. They
are entirely plant in nature. They do, however, understand that all life must thrive and so they
have many humanoid characteristics, and so are not only the guardians of their own grove,
for ease of explanation, this shorthand persists. but of all peaceful creatures who walk the realm.

The older a treant is, the more abilities it Diet
develops, but fundamentally each is able to
re-grow branches and make other flora around All treants need sunlight, water, and soil
it grow. They also have the ability to speak to survive, though the length a treant can go
and understand any number of languages, without these things is proportional to their
including being able to communicate with any size. These creatures have been known to survive
animals that live in their domain. Humanoid for years living on water alone, but this is a
communication is more difficult for a treant, torturous existence for the creature and not
but given time, which they have an abundance recommended.
of, they are able to pick up any language they
put their mind to.

154.

Reproduction than an actual treant sapling. This is not to say
that the treant does not care for any sapling
Treants are rare and technically they don’t it drops like its own child; speaking with it,
mate, but they do reproduce. Instead, treant caring for it, and raising it. Rather, most
reproduction happens in the same manner as a saplings will not have what we as beastmasters
normal tree reproduces. More often than not, consider sentience.
most of the seeds a treant drops will result in
normal trees sprouting up around them, rather Some types of treant are also known to
procreate in a more humanoid way. Perhaps
learning these techniques from years of
watching humanoid behavior, two treants
root next to one another and create a sapling
together. By intertwining either their branches
or roots for approximately a year two trees
become one for a time. The resulting seeds
from this bonding are more likely to yield a
treant sapling instead of a normal tree, though
either is truly a product of both of the paired
treants.

Interactions with Humanoids

Treants are wary of humanoids, because they
have a tendency to enjoy using fresh wood in a
great many things: houses, bridges, carriages.

Likewise, humanoids enjoy creating fires
to cook or to warm themselves, and this
terrifies the treants as their bark and leaves

are extremely flammable.

If humanoids enter a treant grove with
respect and treat the animals within
it with kindness, the treant will likely

allow them to pass through unimpeded.
From time to time, treants have even
been known to assist a wandering

adventurer who is searching for a bit
of forgotten knowledge or hunting
a foe. They take kindly to people
with a high sense of what would be
considered traditional honor, and are
often annoyed by people who try to trick them
for selfish reasons.

155.

Oak Treant who regales their children with stories of
heroes past. These oaks are considered honored
Oak were the first treants to be woken by the parts of the community and in return they
fae so many years ago. These ancient trees used keep elven cities vibrant and alive with flora.
the magic they learned to awaken other species
of trees. They spread their roots deep in the Some oak treants survive so long and are
ground and sent out vibrations which circled cared for for so many years, they set down
the whole grove, driving tree, flowers, and even roots in their old age and allow their bodies
fungi to wake from their floral slumber. to become the base for elven castles. The oak
grows more branches and allows the elves to
Oak treants spent so many years walking carefully mold them into rooms as needed.
the realm that they are most like other These oak treant castles are near impregnable
humanoid creatures, especially elves. They and, when attacked, the treant folds in on itself
know elven songs and have even been known to protect the people within.
to dance an elven jig or two. Many elven forest
communities have at least one resident oak Rumors & Legends

• The Lost City of Oakheart is an
elven city, which was entirely made
up of treant buildings. Some say
this was the original site where the
first oaks awoke many years ago.
When orcs invaded Oakheart to try
to steal elven magic for themselves,
the oaks picked up their people
and fled. Oakheart was never heard
from again, but if it were ever to
be found, many believe one would
discover many ancient magicks
hidden there.

• Some say oak treants have the
ability to awaken smaller plants
for a time to do their bidding.
Some oaks mold themselves
into humanoid forms and use
these plants as spies, becoming
information brokers. This is hard to
believe as this does not conform to
what is traditionally known about
treant behavior, but perhaps it
could be true.

156.

Grafted Treant Rumors & Legends

Grafted treants are created by other treants • Sour Fir is an ancient, rotten treant. When it
who wish procreate. Rather than taking the awoke, like others of its rotten kind, it set about
traditional method of seeding the ground, a infecting as many trees as it could before it died.
treant may cut off small pieces of itself and Through warped experiments, Sour Fir realized
graft them onto another, non-sentient, it could survive by hacking off pieces of other
tree. If the treant is lucky, the grafted treants and grafting them onto itself. Now, Sour
treant will awaken. Fir is a hulking rotting monstrosity and it seeks
yet more power—the knowledge of how to graft
These new creatures are not clones flesh to wood.
of their makers, but individuals with
their own thoughts and desires. They • Given the nature of the grafted treant, it is likely
have characteristics of their parent that they harbor rare and potent herbs amidst
tree, but by way of the fae magic they their branches.
are their own creatures. Also, grafted
treants come into the world with more
knowledge than saplings who would
be what we consider ‘babies’. When a
treant grafts parts of themselves onto
another tree they also impart some
of their knowledge. While grafted
treants come into the world innocent
of experience they are wise in stories
and fables their ‘parent’ picked up
along the way.

Grafting is normally a harmless
procedure, but sometimes, very
rarely, the process goes terribly
wrong. If the parent of the grafted treant
isn’t careful and doesn’t inspect the tree they
are grafting onto, there is a chance they graft
part of themselves onto a rotten tree. If this
happens and the grafted treant awakens, they
are a menace to their own kind. Rotting from
within and with only a few short years on this
realm, they seek to infect as many trees as they
can with their poison before they die. Unable to
believe that a treant could be so selfish; often
these callous murderers are not discovered by
their own kind before it is far too late.

157.

Willow Treant Rumors & Legends

Willow treants are more playful than their • One way willows protect their domains while
oaken counterparts. They enjoy frolicking they are away is to turn any harmful interlopers
with the creatures who inhabit their lands and into trees themselves. The person who attempts
explore every inch of their domain with wide- to hunt on their land, or perhaps cut down
eyed curiosity. Every day is a new excuse to a tree, springs a trap carried by flower seeds
discover the ever-changing beauty of nature. floating in the air. When the trap springs,
Willow treants are also the most likely to the person is slowly turned into a tree. The
venture away from their homes in search of transformation itself is painless and the person
new experiences. is still aware of their surroundings, but they
are caught immobile in their tree form. Only a
Because willows don’t like willow who cast this spell can lift it.
being alone, many of them will
band together when they go
exploring. There is safety in
numbers and they are much
less likely to get cut down with
friends by their side. When
willows explore, they search the
world for new plants and animals
they can bring to their domain to
make it more beautiful and unique.

Willows’ dynamic personalities
have granted them the ability to
learn humanoid magic. Combining
humanoid magic with their
intrinsically magical natures, they’ve
developed new spells for transporting
flora and fauna safely over long distances.
Also, they’ve developed magical
techniques for protection of their
domain while they are away.

158.

Banyan Treant Rumors & Legends

Banyan treants are dour creatures. They are • Lying against a banyan’s bark and telling it your
blessed (or cursed as they would say) with the woes will help to alleviate the pain you feel in
ability to feel the emotions of others, and this your heart.
burden sours their view of the world. With
each new treetop that sprouts from their • Rumor is you can pick out strong individual
shoulders, their mood worsens. emotions held in a banyan’s leaves in the fall.
Red leaves, the passions (anger, love, desire).
The older a banyan grows, the stronger Yellows, the anxieties. Grief crumbles and fall
its empathic powers get, until one day it is before they change color. Brewing with these
filtering through its branches thousands leaves can evoke traces of the emotion.
of emotions from thousands of
creatures from all around. The
banyan have complex minds
strong enough to support
the influx of emotions they
receive on a daily basis,
but they are unable to
close themselves off from
these feelings. The eldest
banyan often go into long
slumbers, sleep being the
only thing that cuts off the
waves of emotions.

The only thing that lifts
a banyan’s mood is feeling
the emotions of saplings and
other baby creatures. Infant
emotions are so strong and
pure that they overwhelm the
negativity the banyan feels and
allows them to focus solely on the
child. Banyan are often dubbed ‘the
babysitting tree’, because of their love
for children. Many treants with a sapling,
who know a banyan, will leave their saplings
in their care for a few short years to help
lighten their friend’s mood.

159.

Translated from elven druidess Kalimar Sylvanthe’s journal Ar’rokko mor’Palurin,
or Noble Equines of the World, commissioned by the druid circle of Summer’s Reach.

The well-loved legend of the unicorn is horns are also viciously sharp and of the same
material as their hooves, capable of impaling
shared by a variety of cultures. Their pure and even enchanted armor.
compassionate nature inspires even the darkest
of creatures to change their ways. Laying Behavior
eyes on a unicorn is considered a blessing,
and to befriend one an even greater honor, Solitary by nature, unicorns become
while slaying one is believed to invite seven extremely territorial as they age. Most young
generations of bad luck to one’s family. leave their parent’s side to seek out their own
forested areas to inhabit shortly after they’ve
Unicorns possess an innate curiosity, grown into adulthood. Upon staking their
empathy, and gift for illusion that inspire their claim to an area, they will fight to keep it
position as muses in many cultures. People from any invaders who might bring harm or
revere them as symbol of righteousness, but unwanted change to the wood or its natural
like many creatures, they possess a multitude inhabitants. No one knows for sure what
of natures. Some varieties have traveled and biological drive causes these creatures to seek
adapted to new environments so that they out and protect one location for life, but it
are almost unrecognizable next to the white- is rare that they migrate to new areas once
pelted, silver-maned creature of bards’ tales. they’ve claimed one for themselves.

Biology Natural empaths, unicorns develop deep
connections with the other denizens of their
Unicorns greatly resemble other equines, save domains, often possessing an innate ability to
for the distinct essence of magic in their blood know where in the wood they are needed at any
and the great horn spiraling outward from given time. Other creatures learn to depend
their foreheads. They are fastidiously clean by on their protection, and even the forest itself
nature, frequently bathing in streams or lakes. seems to grow healthier and develop an aura
Those wishing to catch a peek at a unicorn of peace when under the protection of these
might be disappointed; their talent for illusory mythical beasts. It is rumored that bathing in
magic allows them to fade from non-magical a lake residing in one of these forests can heal
sight and create mirages, shadowy creatures, the sick or mentally ill, leaving them feeling
and misleading paths to disorient travelers. refreshed and at peace with the world.
Early scholarly conjecture claimed the unicorn’s
horn to be the source of its power, but more Diet
recent research suggests that is no more
than myth, as the unicorn’s entire essence is Like most equines, unicorns consume
magical. several pounds of grass and other vegetation
throughout the day, grazing as they patrol
Despite the unicorn’s dainty appearance, their lands. They have a specific fondness for
they are dangerous foes when their illusions alfalfa and sweet clovers. They also require a
fail to ward off unwanted visitors. Their legs mineral component to their diet, and will lick
are stronger than those of a draft horse, and large rocks or areas of natural seepage. They
their hooves are harder than adamantine. Their do take an interest in salt blocks should they

160.

happen to come across Once befriended, unicorns display childlike and
them, and local villagers puckish senses of humor, often playing pranks
hoping to be blessed on their visitors. They delight in creating
by unicorns often leave distractions before sneaking away with an
such offerings as gifts to adventurer’s lunch. They never play tricks to
the mysterious guardian. harm, and should a prank go awry and cause
injury, they show great remorse and distress,
Mating and require much reassurance from their friend
before calming.
Unicorns rarely choose to
reproduce during their long Highly charismatic people have been known
lifespan, focused instead to mask their true nature upon first contact
on protecting the existing with a unicorn, but their true intent is always
life within their realms. discovered. These people are often those who
Being sexless and unable seek to enslave the unicorn through magical
to reproduce like most means, as the creatures are impervious to
creatures, their rare mundane shackles. Their lies and efforts are
procreation occur through hardly worth the prize, however, as captive
parthenogenesis. When unicorns wilt swiftly, losing their grandeur and
a mature unicorn affecting the appearance of an abused, dejected
develops the desire horse. Eventually, it will lose its horn, and its
to wander during the spring, it is eventually magical aura will darken forever.
drawn from its home to the mountains or
another area of high altitude, where they await 161.
a spring storm. The unicorn’s horn attracts
lightning during the height of the storm’s
rage, and each strike is absorbed into a new
creation. Once the storm has passed, the
unicorn returns to its home and painstakingly
builds a nest out of various hays and grasses
for ten months until the foal is born. They are
fully mobile within a day, but remain with their
parent for two to three years until wanderlust
inspires them to seek out their own territory.
Unicorns are kind and doting parents during
these formative years, and even the lesser
creatures in their realm rally to protect the foal.

Interactions with Humanoids

Legends paint the unicorn as the valiant
rescuer or one who appears only to the pure
of heart, and that is quite often true, for they
are naturally attracted by good hearts and
repelled by dark ones. Their empathic nature
draws them to wanderers in need, and their
judgment of a person’s character is uncanny.

Lunar Unicorn within stood an equine figure so brilliantly
white he could not gaze upon it. When he came
Lunar unicorns are found most often in to, he saw where the figure had stood, a pool
deep forests, and countless travelers have of water so clear it looked empty. Legend says
related stories of catching glimpses of these that on the longest night of the year, the moon
silver-maned creatures out of the corners of in its trajectory reflects over the pools of lunar
their eyes. Their name is derived from their unicorns who have passed on, and the veil
appearance as well as their nature, for they between our realm and that of the fey is thin.
require little sleep and are most active during
the night. Their preferred illusions involve Rumors & Legends
terrain mirages and thick fog to hide their
glowing silver appearance and silence their • Many of the rumors of ghosts and specters in
movement. old forests are attributable to the lunar unicorn.
The Grey Lady of Vesper’s Wood is one such
Fey scholars believe the lunar unicorn was tale, dating back from the first decades when
created by the fey moon goddess, sent into the halflings settled amongst the fertile hillsides just
material realm as a foothold of her presence. outside the wood. Halflings are not adventurous
Like their cousins, lunar unicorns are capable by nature, and sightings of the ‘Grey Lady’
of speaking Common, but are also fluent in discouraged trade between their villages and
the faerie language. Popular theory states major cities on the other side of the forest. Their
that every unicorn variant is derived from the subsequent insulation has allowed paranormal
first lunar unicorns. The sheer power of their superstition to tightly grip the community,
illusion magic alone, often associated with despite several renowned druids reassuring the
the moon goddess, suggests the possibility of villagers what they fear is merely a lunar unicorn
strong truth to these conjectures. Such ideas guarding the forest. The Vesper’s Wood halflings,
also explain the territorial alpha nature of however, are not so easily convinced.
the lunar unicorn in their habitats, for a
gods-blessed animal would easily claim
dominance over any lesser mundane,
magical, and fey creatures in their
realm.

The lunar unicorn has a lifespan
of nearly a thousand years, and
only shows its age in the brief
weeks before its death. Only one
eyewitness account exists of a
unicorn’s passing. According to
the anonymous adventurer, the
wood turned dark despite the
full moon. Glowing ley lines
spread across the ground, and he
followed them to an ancient tree
deep in the wood. There, orbs of
light danced around a circle of
perfectly round moonstones, and

162.

Nightmare Unicorn Rumors & Legends

The nightmare is a twisted, dark creature that • While there is no proof that these creatures can
is everything the unicorn is not. While still be saved, local myths claim that it’s possible that
basically equine in appearance, these creatures aid can be given by their kinder counterparts,
have coats the color of midnight and twisted who may be able to bring light back into the
ebony horns; their hooves are wreathed in fire twisted mind of a nightmare. There are a few
and their manes comprised of flame. Where scattered tales of this occurring in the past, but
unicorns are innocent and childlike by nature, in recent times no one can recall any similar
the nightmare is a warped and corrupt version stories; and it seems at odds with the unicorn’s
of what it once was. Legend reads that these nature to even approach such a chaotic and
darkened creatures are the result of kidnapped emotionally broken creature.
foals being raised in captivity and absorbing
the demonic magics used to bind them as they • At the base of one volcanic mountain range,
grow. Most foals in captivity don’t survive to a small town has a local legend about their
adulthood, lacking the strength to stand the summer fires. It is said that each year at the
presence of such dark magics, but those who summer’s warmest, the fields are cursed to catch
do quickly grow in power, until they manage fire and those who have done evil throughout
to escape their captors, often destroying them the year will see their homes burn as well. Locals
in the process. Unlike their counterparts, have lived this legend for the last ten years and
their illusory magic is long-faded, and they are convinced their town is cursed. I believe a
have no ability to fade from view or alter their nightmare lives in the volcanic caverns within
surroundings. Instead, their magic is fueled the mountains and during the warmest parts
by rage and a touch of insanity from years of summer feels compelled to seek out the
of captivity. They develop a need to seek out world from long ago. The fields surrounding
warmth and the ability to call fire to do their this farming town are ripe with food this time
bidding. Those few who make it to adulthood of year and it likely can’t resist trying to graze
crave and consume volcanic ash, most often on the foods it once loved. Unfortunately, its
seeking out active mountain ranges to claim as presence alone causes wildfires to rage through
their own. the crops, some years leaving barely enough for
the townspeople to survive and occasionally
spreading far enough to reach houses and
outbuildings.

163.

Okapi Unicorn interested and wander back to her pride with
nothing to show for her time away. Hunters
In the open plains of desert-like areas resides might wander out to acquire zebra pelts only
an odd unicorn cousin the locals name okapi. to realize they really prefer to do something
These zebra-like equines are considered good else entirely or have an overwhelming drive
luck to encounter and are often the ring leaders to return home to safety. Okapi can inspire
of several large traditional zebra harems. fear, confusion, calm, and a variety of other
Okapi have warm brown coats, a smattering emotions in the average mind, but are generally
of cream colored stripes, and a single curved good-natured and never attempt to cause
horn reaching toward the sky. Their eyes are a actual harm unless there is no other option
captivating blend of lightning and sky and it’s available. Their single desire is to protect those
rumored that the weak of will can be lost in they have taken under their care. While it is
their gaze for an eternity, adrift on the clouds incredibly rare for this to occur, the okapi can
of the universe. even project their thoughts into the minds of
others, allowing them to communicate their
Okapi are the rarest of all unicorn breeds and wisdom should they choose to. While they can
their abilities lean less toward the traditional do this with words, they more often choose to
unicorn illusions and more toward captivating project a vision or scene of events.
the mind. While they cannot render
themselves invisible, these highly intelligent, Rumors & Legends
shamanistic beasts can charm others into
doing their bidding. They live amid zebra • The okapi is such a deep spiritual part of tribal
harems, protecting them against the dangers lore that those training to be shamans leave
of the wild, both from other beasts and from on quests to search for these elusive beings as
the final part of their journey. It is considered a
humanoids who would cause blessing of high status if a young shaman finds
them harm. For example, a one of these creatures, and even more so should
lioness intent on making an the okapi choose to communicate a vision of
okapi-protected zebra prey guidance. In times of upheaval or doubt within
may simply discover mid- in the tribes, a wise shaman will seek out the
leap that she’s no longer harem leader and ask for advice, using the power
of tribal belief in this wise being to unite them
together.

• The oldest living shaman to date is rumored
to be close with the local okapi and often
disappears for days at a time to commune with
her wise friend. There is speculation that this
particular okapi not only leads the striped
equines of the plains, but also has a heavy hand
in the politics and inner-workings of the
natives’ lives. Using the shaman as their
mouthpiece, they maneuver lives into
patterns that suit some grander plan
known only to the okapi.

164.

Karkadann Unicorn danger that has caused their temperament.
Either way, it’s a war that doesn’t seem to be
This massive stone-grey beast with a wide ending any time soon.
spiral horn and a wizened beard is often said to
be the grandfather of all rhinoceroses. Loners Rumors & Legends
by nature, karkadann roam the plains and
are dangerous to all they encounter. They’re • Local legend speaks of a hidden lake somewhere
notorious for their grumpy nature and perilous in the vastness of the plains where the
temper. To anger a karkadann is likely to karkadann go to die. It is rumored that, upon
guarantee your own death. Even other beasts nearing the end of their lives, they instinctively
of the plains avoid this solitary creature, as begin the long journey to this hidden pool.
entering its vicinity causes it to charge angrily Shielded by great magics of illusion and mind-
and impale the unfortunate invader. Unlike the alteration that make unwelcome visitors redirect
unicorns of most areas, the karkadann is not their paths, this lake is partially surrounded by
territorial to a specific place, only the expanse ancient walls and features a massive fountain
in which it currently resides. It wanders the statue at its center, depicting four karkadann
plains consuming vegetation in its path and rearing on hind legs, water pouring from their
has no attachment to a specific locale, often mouths.
wandering miles at a time in any direction.
• Legend says that each karkadann who arrives
Oddly enough, while they do consume here walks calmly into the pool and gives its life
grasses and similar vegetation, it is not the over to the lake, its body dissolving into energy
grass these beasts prefer but poisonous plants to be reborn again later and its magical horn
and mushrooms instead. The most maddening drifting to the dark depths below. The water here
thing about these unfriendly beings is the is the purest of any in the world and ancient
miraculous abilities they possess, but which are tales speak of not only healing properties but
largely inaccessible due to their unfortunate claim that a single draught from this magical
personalities. Karkadann are gifted healers; pool can cure all ailments and restore youth.
the same wide horn they use to gore their Many an adventurer has wasted their life
unfortunate neighbors with can also eliminate searching futilely for this oasis, but few have
poison, cure diseases, and purify large bodies ever claimed to stumble upon it and none who
of water. Brave hunters form have can ever quite recall how to return.
groups to bait and slay
karkadann in the wild just to
obtain their horns for these
purposes. More creative
tribes might seek to lure
one into a local pool long
enough to purify their
drinking source. One
has to wonder if the
creatures have always
been so grumpy or
it’s the incessant
bands of humanoids
putting their lives in

165.

First discovered in northern mountains them because of their barbed, venomous
tails, and sometimes their ability to breathe
and forests, the wyvern has earned itself a a poisonous gas. They are indeed noxious
fearsome reputation. Due to their reptilian creatures that are nearly impossible to hunt
nature and large size, they were initially and kill.
believed to be dragons. This has been proven
incorrect for a variety of reasons, although Biology
many in the world still seem confused by
this. The wyvern is not as intelligent like it’s Unlike common dragons, the wyvern
draconic cousin, nor magically imbued with any has only two legs. It uses its large wings to
sense of humanoid intellect. They are deadly, counterbalance if moving about in a crawl, and
quick, and ravenous. although it can move on two legs, although this
is rarer to behold. Large claws exist on the top
Despite being encountered more and more as of its wings to help grip the ground and trees.
humanoid territories grow, wyverns continue Along its long tail are thick, sharp barbs, which
to be mistaken for their larger cousins. are venomous enough to easily kill humanoids.
Multiple kingdoms have reported infestations This poison has yet to be remedied and any
of the large beasts, yet few are eager to hunt contact is likely fatal.

Some wyverns have been known to have a
poisonous bite or breath weapon. These are
very rare but have been confirmed in some
of the northernmost mountains. In these,

wyverns, which I have only observed once,
they use their noxious breath to fight other
large predators, such as giants, trolls, or
even dragons. It is not used for hunting
and is not found in wyverns who are
the top predators in their territories.

166.

Behavior this is from the blood she consumes, but it is
obvious the extra consumption helps produce
Wyvern are violent, bloody creatures eggs. Once crimson, the female launches into
who occupy large swaths of territory. The the air and elicits a scream that can be heard
individual wyvern needs a large territory, just for miles. Males come to her and rip each other
enough to hunt and roam in, and their ranges to shreds until she has chosen one.
overlap with one another. This often results
in bloody fights. Solitary for the most part, The two dance in the sky and mate there.
young wyverns will form packs as they leave They lay their eggs in large nests made of trees,
their nests to provide safety to one another. foliage, and the fur of kills. Elvers hatch and
Otherwise, wyverns only seek each other’s remain with their mother until they can kill
company during mating season. their own food, and then leave their mother’s
territory after she abandons the nest. The pack
They are not nearly as intelligent as their of them will wander and hunt together until
draconic cousins, but have their own keen aggression separates them and they find their
wit. Natural-born hunters, the wyvern has own overlapping territories.
perfected the ability to hunt humanoids, even
when the humanoids travel in packs. They are Interactions with Humanoids
vicious and volatile, slaughtering numerous
humanoids simply to remove them from their While many attempts have been made to
territory. domesticate them, none have been successful.
Beastmasters have written on their experiences
Diet stealing eggs, but few have had success in
maintaining a domesticated wyvern. Their
All wyverns are carnivores, and eat any ferocity and feral nature destroys nearly all
meat they come across. Because of their large attempts. With their naturally venomous
size, wyvern generally rely on flight to travel weapons, humanoids stand little chance
to where they can find meat once they’ve against such marvelous beasts.
stripped the local areas around them of
immediate resources. They almost always exist Wyvern hunts were popular years ago, until
in areas where deer and game are plentiful. it became apparent that packs of wyvern were
They will settle for hunting birds and other working together to slaughter everyone coming
small prey, for they are absolutely creatures of after them. This went on for several decades as
opportunity. humanoids tried to eradicate the wyvern from
their lands. In the process, humanoids became
Scavenging is not something a wyvern will a natural part of the wyvern’s diet, and it was
do. If they find a kill, they will not eat it; but the first time in recorded observation that they
rather, they will begin to hunt and find the worked together as opposed to being solitary.
thing that killed the carcass. This may be due
to a humanoid tendency to be bait traps with One or two will descend to a village, steal
dead animals in an attempt to capture the or kill multiple livestock, and be sure to leave
wyvern. a bloody trail into their mountain and forest
ranges. They will stalk and hunt the humanoids
Mating who enter, leaving clues and rustling bushes
until their prey are well deep into their
The mating rituals of the wyvern are macabre territory where there is little hope for escape.
at best. The female gorges herself for days There they descend and feast.
before she is fertile, so much so that her wings
and body become flush with red. They say 167.

Forest Wyvern about the haunting quality of these wyverns.
This keen sense of trickery and deception has
The most common of its kind, the forest demonstrated the wyvern’s sharp intellect and
wyvern is by far the most brazen and obvious relation to its draconic cousin.
aggressive of its species. It was this species that
first started hunting humanoids, to the point Evolving to hunt in packs instead of living
where entire generations of forest wyvern now in solitary locations, these wyvern can take
solely hunt them. They have become faster and on bigger and more powerful prey. The rarest
stronger than their other cousins, and have of stories includes the wyvern hunting and
become the most clever of hunters. A well- successfully killing a dragon, feasting on its
established pack, once something never seen, body for days, and taking over the dragon’s
can survive off a single village for years. These territory. If they remove themselves from
villages live in fear, and many become expert a humanoid village and live in the wild, the
wyvern hunters if they survive being targeted pack tends to disperse and find themselves
by the wyvern as prey. wandering over a larger territory, but under
threat, they will reunite. Battles between
It is rumored that the forest wyvern other packs or with humanoid hunters isn’t
has learned how to call to humanoids uncommon.
in the dark. Stalking the shadows
surrounding the village during the Rumors & Legends
day, at night, they will call to
the humanoids in the dark by • A local town has decided to host a grand festival
imitating babies crying, dogs each year. Secretly, they kidnap attendees in
whimpering, or some even order to feed to a local wyvern. This has kept the
say calling out names. wyvern appeased and the town safe for years.
These rumors have never
been proven, but some • When a large pack of wyvern move into a valley,
survivors of these they slowly begin to encircle a town and people
villages have spoken begin to disappear, leaving the town living in
fear and reaching out to any hero who could help
them remove the threat.

168.

Desert Wyvern likely to run from anything humanoid size
than to stop and fight it, but have been known
Wearing the perfect disguise for its to kill the odd humanoid here and there.
environment, the desert wyvern is a long, flat
lizard with brownish sand-colored scales and Desert wyverns seem to have an intrinsic
reddish bands upon its back. The large wings hatred for magic, said to come from the
are extremely thin and are used to stir up the creation of a desperate desert god. They
sand around them. Their flat bodies allow can sense when something with magical
them to hide almost perfectly within the sand. properties are nearby, and will work together
Stretching out, they use their wings for kicking to track down and destroy whatever that
up sand to cover them almost completely. may be. Wizards, sorcerers and the like find
It takes great skill to spot the exposed eyes, deserts inhabited by these wyverns especially
horns or barbed tail; the only clues to help dangerous. Even a simple cantrip can trigger a
avoid stepping upon the beast. desert wyvern attack.

Along their face are whiskers that sit in the Rumors & Legends
sand, feeling any movement within the area
around them. It’s through this that they hunt • It has been observed that when an especially
their prey, holding perfectly still until their strong desert wyvern passes away, the sands at
prey is close enough that they have no way to the site of its death become disruptive to the use
escape. Desert wyverns primarily eat small of magic. Travelers can expect any attempt to
desert prey, and are forced to spend most of cast a spell in these areas to result in wild magic.
their time hunting. Unlike their forest cousins,
they do not hunt in packs; they prefer to hunt
alone unless large prey requires cooperation.
They are inherently skittish creatures, more

169.

Coastal Wyvern Yet the wyverns exist peacefully with merfolk
or sirens, finding their presence calming and
Nesting in the craggy cliffs and edges of alluring. If either ever dare threaten the nest
the world, the coastal wyvern watches the of a coastal wyvern, though, the peace breaks
world of waves beneath with sharp eyes and and the wyvern will attack. Because of this, it
keen hunger. The strangely shaped wings is considered in poor taste to steal or kill the
are designed for sleekness in order to make young of the wyvern by aquatic societies. Both
swimming faster and easier as opposed to sirens and merfolk have been known to lure
flying. The best it can do after it pushes off unsuspecting ships into wyvern territory to
from the cliff is glide down toward the water. destroy the humanoids on board.
Long, deadly claws help it climb rock faces and
boat sides with relative ease. It is an absolutely Rumors & Legends
perfect hunter in the sea.
• The time for migration has begun, and the local
While fish is a normal food source for the numbers of coastal wyverns have skyrocketed.
wyverns, they specialize in attacking ships
that moor too close to their homes. Because • Sightings and behaviors of coastal wyverns are
of this, several brazen rulers have taken to often interpreted by locals as signs of incoming
the breeding and relocation of these creatures weather incidents.
to prevent the attacks of pirates or rival
kingdoms. These so-called “domesticated
wyverns” are feral, at best, but make an
excellent guard system against would-be
invaders. Any ships who wander into
wild coastal wyvern territory are
easily overwhelmed and sunk,
providing a delightful food
source for the wyverns.

170.

Cave Bruiser Wyvern The young live in the deepest caves, protected
by the colony’s adults. Their strange sounds,
Rarely seen and mostly heard of in stories combined with the sound of them playing in
that have never been substantiated, cave the bodies and gold that litter the caves, are the
bruisers are the largest and most reclusive of perfect lure to draw adventurers further in.
their kind. They dwell deep beneath the earth
in vast caverns, always with water, and always Rumors & Legends
know their homes intimately. Living in small
colonies, the cave bruiser can live for years • It is said there is a giant slumbering wyvern
without contact from the outside, living on a around which a city of great faith has been built.
single meal for decades. Their caverns are filled The citizens revere this magnificent creature,
with the most aged and hidden of treasure, a often singing songs to soothe the great beast.
trap for mortals to lead them to their doom. Little do they know, there is nothing but evil in
its heart.
Giant, armored, and blind, the cave bruiser
can be the size of some of the largest dragons
and appear to be made of the very rock it lives
in. Although it still has eyes, they see nothing,
and are a milky white that doesn’t reflect
light in the darkness. Their ears hear nearly
everything, and their sensitive feet and wings
can pick up the smallest vibrations in
the rock around them. Within their
colonies, multiple skeletons and
treasure can be found. They
leave it, letting it litter
the ground to lure more
explorers within. Their
traps are always set, for
once they have eaten, they
mate, and then return to
their roost.

The cave bruiser is faster
than it looks, and those
who wander into their
territory are likely to
be bitten or stung with
their deadly tail before
they even realize they
are being stalked in
the dark. They move
soundlessly and are
likely to be mistaken
for a piece of rock
when travelers pass.

171.



Explore Diversity

In a world of myth and magic, great heroes travel across the land taming
and defeating various beasts and earning their place as legends.

But as you adventure through the forests, swamps, and tundras, you
quickly realize that there is a lack of creature diversity in your travels.

If you are looking for something novel to spice up a roleplaying
campaign, or simply want to see a new take on the creatures of fantasy,
Atlas Animalia has all the monstrous variants you’ll need! Showcasing
the arctic owlbear, the tiger griffin, the lionfish hippocampus and more,

there is much to be discovered in this new landscape of possibilities!

Funded by 798 aficionados of animal affection on Kickstarter in 2017,
this book joins ceremoniously with the Baby Bestiary and other works
by Metal Weave Games in an exciting line of inspirational goodness.

Atlas Animalia looks to add some diversity to your coffee-table and
some ‘awesome’ to your players’ spelunking through dark dungeons.

© 2018 Metal Weave Games MWG-AA-01
ATLAS ANIMALIA and its logo are trademarks of Metal Weave Games in MSRP $34.99 USD
the U.S.A. and other countries. Its logo, images, descriptions and distinctive
likenesses thereof, are trademarks of Metal Weave Games. All rights reserved.

www.MetalWeaveGames.com
www.Facebook.com/MetalWeaveGame/